My first SVG

SVG stands for Scalable Vector Graphics. It's a pretty common type of image.

Why?

For my project (recreation of an MPG-80), I need to cut a sheet of metal. Because the cut has to be precise, I choosed to use a laser cutting service. To do so, I need to produce a file (SVG) which represents the path of the laser beam.

My first idea was to vectorize with Inkscape the file I created with Gimp:

Gimp -> PNG file -> Inkscape -> SVG file -> FreeCAD

The result was poor, because the vectorization process created a lot of path (above 2000, whereas I have only 140 objects).

I definitely needed a more precise process. The idea was to create the SVG from scratch:
1- precisely measuring the coordinates of all the objects (holes)
2- creating a SVG file from scratch with Inkscape
3- importing the file in FreeCAD

Fortunately, all the objects I need to cut boxes, circles and paths (shapes bazed on Bezier curves) and all are symmetrical around vertical and horizontal axis (top is symmetrical to bottom, left to right). So with Gimp, I measured precisely the coordinates of the centers of all objects. I ended with a LibreOffice spreadsheet.

First try...

My attempt to created the SVG with Inkscape went nowehere. Happily, I quick search on Google shows writing a SVG file is rather simple. Here is my first SVG:

The spreasheet

For my project, I need to cut 3 sheets: the casing (metal, 1.3 mm), a plastic sheet (lexan) containg the silkscreen, and another metal sheet holding the PCB. The need for 2 metal sheets is leaded to the fact by buttons are enclosed between the two sheets. The coordinate set is differents for each sheet.